Content management system and method for use of same

ABSTRACT

A content management system and method for use of same is disclosed. In one embodiment of the system, the set-top box is configured to receive a source signal which includes a stream of network programming having time slots interposed therein. The set-top box detects signaling data indicative of a designated time slot within the network programming and responsive thereto, interposes content stored at the set-top box at the designated time slot within the network programming. The set-top box then forwards the interposed content to the display. Following the forwarding of the interposed content, the set-top box returns to receiving network programming and forwarding the network programming to the display. The set-top box also provides confirmation of the displayed interposed content to a server, which may map the confirmation information.

PRIORITY STATEMENT & CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/153,467 entitled “Content Management System and Method for Use ofSame” filed on Jan. 20, 2021 in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al., nowU.S. Pat. No. 11,350,181 issued on May 31, 2022; which is a continuationof U.S. application Ser. No. 16/511,326 entitled “Content ManagementSystem and Method for Use of Same” filed on Jul. 15, 2019 in the namesof Vanessa Ogle, et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 10,904,636 issued on Jan. 26,2021; which claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 62/697,657,entitled “Content Management System and Method for Use of Same” andfiled on Jul. 13, 2018, in the name of William C. Fang; all of which arehereby incorporated by reference, in entirety, for all purposes. U.S.application Ser. No. 16/511,326, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,904,636, is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/194,587,entitled “Set-Top Box with Enhanced Content and System and Method forUse of Same” and filed on Nov. 19, 2018, in the names of Ogle et al.;which claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 62/587,795,entitled “Set-Top Box with Enhanced Content and System and Method forUse of Same” and filed on Nov. 17, 2017, in the name of William C. Fang;all of which are hereby incorporated by reference, in entirety, for allpurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to content management and, inparticular, to systems and methods for the operation, control, andoversight of content, such as advertising, for example, in environmentssuch as hospitality environments and residential environments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Network programming on a television remains an effective advertisingmedium. To enhance effectiveness, advertisers seek to developadvertisements that target prospective consumers based on interests,behavior, demographics, or location, for example. A challenge thatadvertisers have with targeted advertising on traditional networkprogramming on a television is being able to deliver targetedadvertising to prospective consumers. Accordingly, there is a need forimproved systems and methods for advertisers that enable the delivery toprospective consumers of targeted advertising during traditional networkprogramming on a television.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve a set-top box that would improveupon existing limitations in functionality with respect to targetedadvertising during traditional network programming on a television. Itwould also be desirable to enable a computer-based electronics andsoftware solution that would provide enhanced content delivery toprospective consumers with targeted advertising. To better address oneor more of these concerns, a set-top box with enhanced content andsystem and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodimentof the system, the set-top box is configured to receive a source signalwhich includes a stream of network programming having time slotsinterposed therein. The set-top box detects signaling data indicative ofa designated time slot within the network programming and responsivethereto, interposes content stored at the set-top box at the designatedtime slot within the network programming. The set-top box then forwardsthe interposed content to the display. Following the forwarding of theinterposed content, the set-top box returns to receiving networkprogramming and forwarding the network programming to the display. Theset-top box also provides confirmation of the displayed interposedcontent to a server, which may map the confirmation information. Theseand other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidatedwith reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures in which correspondingnumerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a system forproviding a set-top box having enhanced content therein according to theteachings presented herein;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of the set-topbox splicing enhanced content into a network program stream;

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of the system ofFIG. 1 within a cloud-computing deployment;

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of the system ofFIG. 1 within an on-property deployment;

FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of the system ofFIG. 1 within a cloud-computing deployment serving multiple properties;

FIG. 3D is a schematic diagram depicting another embodiment of thesystem of FIG. 1 within a cloud-computing deployment serving multipleproperties;

FIG. 4A is a wall-facing exterior elevation view of one embodiment ofthe set-top box depicted in FIG. 1 in further detail;

FIG. 4B is a television-facing exterior elevation view of the set-topbox depicted in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4C is a front perspective view of a dongle depicted in FIG. 1 infurther detail;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of theset-top box presented in FIGS. 3A and 3B;

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of aserver presented in FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 7 is a conceptual module diagram depicting a software architectureof an analytics application of some embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a conceptual module diagram depicting a software architectureof an analytics application of some embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a conceptual module diagram depicting a software architectureof an image viewing, editing, and organization application of someembodiments;

FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a maprepresentation of a hospitality lodging establishment utilizing oneembodiment of a hospitality property management tool presented herein;

FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a maprepresentation of a floor of the hospitality lodging establishmentpresented in FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a maprepresentation of residential communities utilizing one embodiment of aproperty management tool presented herein;

FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a maprepresentation of a home within the residential communities presented inFIG. 11A;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method forproviding a set-top box having enhanced content according to theteachings presented herein; and

FIG. 13 is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method forproviding hospitality property management according to the teachingspresented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, whichcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1 , therein is depicted one embodiment of asystem for providing enhanced content, which is schematicallyillustrated and designated 10. As shown, the system 10 includes aset-top box 12 and a display 14, which is illustrated as a televisionhaving a screen 16. It should be appreciated however, that the display14 may also be any electronic visual display device, for example. Theset-top box 12 includes a housing having a connection, which is depictedas an HDMI connection 20 that connects the set-top box 12 to the display14. Other connections include a power cable 22 coupling the set-top box12 to a power source, a coaxial cable 24 coupling the set-top box 12 toan external cable source, and a category five (Cat 5) cable 26 couplingthe set-top box 12 to an external pay-per-view source at a hotel orother lodging establishment, for example. As shown, the set-top box 12may include a dongle 28 providing particular technology andfunctionality extensions thereto. That is, the set-top box 12 may be aset-top box-dongle combination in one embodiment. It should beappreciated that the cabling connected to the set-top box 12 will dependon the environment and application and the cabling connections presentedin FIG. 1 are depicted for illustrative purposes. Moreover, it should beappreciated that the positioning of the set-top box 12 will varydepending on environment and application and, with certainfunctionality, the set-top box 12 may be placed more discretely behindthe display 14. By way of further example, the set-top box 12 may be anin-wall mount as opposed to the illustrated free standing informationappliance device.

In one implementation, the set-top box 12 is configured to receive asource signal at the coaxial cable which includes a stream of networkprogramming having time slots interposed therein. As illustrated,channel 403, as indicated by C1, is broadcasting a program, as indicatedby P1, and this program P1 is on the screen 16 of the display 14. Theset-top box 12 detects signaling data indicative of a designated timeslot within the network programming and responsive thereto, interposescontent stored at the set-top box 12 at the designated time slot withinthe network programming. The set-top box 12 then forwards the interposedcontent to the display 14 via the signal output. As illustrated, channel403, as indicated by C1, is broadcasting the content, as indicated byP2, and this content P2 is on the screen 16 of the display 14. Followingthe forwarding of the interposed content P2, the set-top box 12 returnsto receiving network programming on the signal input and forwarding thenetwork programming to the display 14 via the signal output on the HDMIconnection 20.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, the set-top box 12 isproviding network programming 30 in an environment where scheduledcontent time slots, such as time slot 32, are planned for content 34,such as advertising content or promotional content, according to aschedule or schedules 36. The network programming 30 may be audio mediaor audiovisual media and is depicted as audiovisual media to fullyleverage the display 14. As shown, the network programming 30 mayinclude splice signaling data 37 indicating the available time slot byway of an opening 37-O and a closing 37-C. In one implementation, theset-top box 12 receives the schedule 36 from a server 38 indicating thetime when the content 34 may be inserted into an available time slot 32.Based on the schedule 36, the set-top box 12 receives the content 34 andstores the received content 34 in a queue for insertion into theavailable time slot 32 within the network programming 30. In oneimplementation, the set-top box 12 actively fetches the content 34 basedon the schedule 36 and in another implementation, the server 38 sendsthe content 34 to the set-top box 12. In another embodiment, the set-topbox 12 may acquire the content 34 in real-time, when required forinsertion into the network programming 30. The content 34 may be anadvertisement or non-advertising content. In an embodiment relating tohospitality establishments, the content 34 may be non-advertisingcontent related to a hospitality establishment such as a furnishedmulti-family residences, dormitories, lodging establishments, hotels,hospitals, and multi-unit environments. Further, the content 34 may beadvertising content that is replacing advertising content within thenetwork programming 30.

As mentioned, the network programming 30 includes splice signaling data37 indicating the available time slot 32 by way of the opening 37-O andthe closing 37-C. The splice signaling data 37 may be an audioindicator, such as a dual-tone multi-frequency signaling (DTMF), avisual indicator, or a digital indicator, for example. When the set-topbox 12 detects the time slot 32 by way of the splice signaling data 37,the set-top box 12 inserts the content 34 into the stream forwarded tothe display 14 and then returns to the network programming 30. It shouldbe appreciated that the set-top box 12 audio and video decodingfunctions continue to decode the network programming stream andpresenting video and audio to the display 14.

Set-top box data 40 includes confirmation of the display of theinterposed content 34 by the set-top box 12 on the display 14. Theset-top box data 40 is provided by the set-top box 12 to the server 38.The set-top box data 40 may include information such as the identity ofthe set-top box, the identity of the guest, the identity of theinterposed content, the scheduling of the interposed content, and theviewing of the displayed interposed content, such as fully viewed,partially viewed, or not viewed. As illustrated, the server 38 mayprocess, analyze, report, and depict, for example, the set-top box data40. In one embodiment, a map view 42 of the hospitality establishmentmay be depicted and include a graphical representation of the roomsannotated with at least a portion of the set-top box data 40.

The server 38 may be remotely located to serve multiple set-top boxesand displays each located on different properties. It should also beappreciated that the server 38 may be located on a single property toserve one or more set-top boxes and displays thereon. Further, it shouldbe appreciated that the server 38 may be remotely located to servemultiple properties having multiple televisions. Further, the server 38may located to server a variety of residential properties, including,for example, single-family houses, duplexes, or townhomes, or to serve avariety of multi-unit properties, including, for example, multi-familyresidences, apartments, hospitals, and the like. Generally, the set-topboxes and systems presented herein may be utilized in any environment,which may be a single family residence such as a house, duplex, ortownhome. Alternatively, the environment may be a hospitality lodgingestablishment or more generally, hospitality property, which may be afurnished multi-family residence, dormitory, lodging establishment,hotel, hospital, or other multi-unit environment.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, the system 10 may be deployed such that theserver 38, which includes a housing 43, is remotely located in the cloudC to service disbursed set-top boxes 12-1 . . . 12-n and correspondingdisplays 14-1 . . . 14-n, with, in one embodiment, network programmingcontent sources 44 configured to provide sources of network programming30. The server 38 includes a signal output and other components therein.The server 38 has access to schedule and content databases 46, whichstore the particular content 34 and the schedule 36. It should beappreciated that the schedule and content databases may be partially orfully integrated into the server 38. As mentioned, the server 38 mayprocess, analyze, report, and depict, for example, the set-top box data40.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, the system 10 may be deployed such that theserver 38, which includes the housing 43, is co-located on the propertyP-1 with the set-top boxes 12-1 . . . 12-n and the correspondingdisplays 14-1 . . . 14-n, with, in one embodiment, network programmingcontent sources 44 configured to provide sources of network programming30. The property P-1 may have various rooms R and spaces S where theset-top boxes 12-1 . . . 12-n and the corresponding displays 14-1 . . .14-n are displayed. The server 38 has access to the schedule 36 andcontent databases 46, which store the particular content 34 and theschedule 36. As mentioned, the server 38 may process, analyze, report,and depict, for example, the set-top box data 40.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the system 10 may be deployed such that the server38 is located remotely within cloud C relative to set-top boxes 12-1 . .. 12-n, which are located at properties P-1 through P-n. Each propertyP-1 . . . P-n has various rooms R and spaces S. In particular, theserver 38, which receives content from network programming contentsources 44, may be located remotely relative to the set-top boxes 12-1 .. . 12-n and displays 14-1 . . . 14-n such that a property headend 48-1. . . 48-n is interposed between the server 38 and the set-top boxes12-1 . . . 12-n. As shown, in this implementation, the property headend48-1 . . . 48-n is co-located with the set-top boxes 12-1 . . . 12-n ata respective property, P-1 through P-n. As mentioned, the server 38 mayprocess, analyze, report, and depict, for example, the set-top box data40.

Referring to FIG. 3D, the system 10 may be deployed such that the server38 is located remotely within cloud C relative to set-top boxes 12-1 . .. 12-n, which are located at residential communities O-1 through O-n.Each residential community O-1 . . . O-n has various homes M. Inparticular, the server 38, which receives content from networkprogramming content sources 44, may be located remotely relative to theset-top boxes 12-1 . . . 12-n and displays 14-1 . . . 14-n such that adistribution network 49-1 . . . 49-n is interposed between the server 38and the set-top boxes 12-1 . . . 12-n. As shown, in this implementation,the distribution networks 49-1 . . . 49-n may service variousresidential communities, which, in turn are servicing residences such assingle family homes or multi-family homes or other living arrangements.As mentioned, the server 38 may process, analyze, report, and depict,for example, the set-top box data 40.

More and more streaming services are able to target advertisementsdirectly to the subscriber. Network programming providers, however, havenot been able to target advertisements directly to the subscriber orviewer due to the fact that all the television programs are delivered inthe broadcasting methodology. Therefore, all the subscribers arereceiving the same program and advertisements. Cable companies, forexample, have advertising insertion equipment installed at varioussub-stations, or sub-headends. The granularity of the subscriber islimited to a community or a city with this cable company methodology.The teachings presented herein provide greater granularity via theset-top box to the hotel environment or residential subscriber, forexample, by providing, in one aspect, in-room advertising insertiontechnology.

As described herein, in some embodiments, the content and advertisingdelivery infrastructure from the server to the set-top boxes providesthe set-top boxes with content and advertising insertion capability. Aswill be continued to be described hereinbelow, in addition to receivingthe network programming signal and decoding the network programmingsignal, the set-top boxes are capable of receiving the content andadvertising material as well as the necessary schedule, queue thecontent in local storage, and insert the content according to theschedule received by the server, which may be provided by a contentmanagement and publishing engine or the like. In some implementations,the network programming signal programming provides the splice signalingdata or other slotting information that is leveraged by the set-top boxfor the granular content and advertising insertion.

Referring to FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, and FIG. 5 , as used herein,set-top boxes, back boxes and set-top/back boxes may be discussed asset-top boxes. By way of example, the set-top box 12 may be a set-topunit that is an information appliance device that generally containsset-top box functionality including having a television-tuner input anddisplays output through a connection to a display or television set andan external source of signal, turning by way of tuning the source signalinto content in a form that can then be displayed on the televisionscreen or other display device. The information appliance device mayinclude high speed internet access point capabilities. Such set-topboxes are used in cable television, satellite television, andover-the-air television systems, for example.

The set-top box 12 includes a housing 18 with a cover 50 and a rear wall52, front wall 54, top wall 56, bottom base 58, and two sidewalls 60,62. It should be appreciated that front wall, rear wall, and side wallare relative terms used for descriptive purposes and the orientation andthe nomenclature of the walls may vary depending on application. Thefront wall includes various ports, ports 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78,and 80 that provide interfaces for various interfaces, including inputsand outputs. In one implementation, as illustrated, the ports 64 through80 include inputs 82 and outputs 84 and, more particularly, an RF input86, a RJ-45 input 88, universal serial bus (USB) input/outputs 90, anEthernet category 5 (Cat 5) coupling 92, an internal reset 94, an RS232control 96, an audio out 98, an audio in 100, and a debug/maintenanceport 102. The front wall 54 also includes various inputs 82 and outputs84. More particularly, ports 110, 112, 114, and 116 include a 5V dcpower connection 120, USB inputs/outputs 122, an RJ-45 coupling 124, andan HDMI port 126. It should be appreciated that the configuration ofports may vary with the set-top box 12 depending on application andcontext. As previously alluded to, the housing 18 may include ahousing-dongle combination including, with respect to the dongle 28, aunit 130 having a cable 134 with a set-top box connector 132 forselectively coupling with the set-top box 12.

Within the housing 18, a processor 150, memory 152, storage 154, theinputs 82, and the outputs 84 are interconnected by a bus architecture156 within a mounting architecture. It should be understood that theprocessor 150, memory 152, storage 154, the inputs 82, and the outputs84 may be entirely contained within the housing 18 or the housing-donglecombination. The processor 150 may process instructions for executionwithin the computing device, including instructions stored in the memory152 or in storage 154. The memory 152 stores information within thecomputing device. In one implementation, the memory 152 is a volatilememory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory 152 is anon-volatile memory unit or units. Storage 154 provides capacity that iscapable of providing mass storage for the set-top box 12. Various inputs82 and outputs 84 provide connections to and from the computing device,wherein the inputs 82 are the signals or data received by the set-topbox 12, and the outputs 84 are the signals or data sent from the set-topbox 12.

A signal input 158 and a signal output 160 are also secured in thehousing 18 in order to receive content from a source, such as ahospitality property, and forward the content, including externalcontent such as cable and satellite and pay-per-view (PPV) programingand the content 34 to the display. More specifically, the signal input158 receives a source signal from an external source. The source signalincludes multiple channels. Each tuner 162 is configured to receive andtune a channel from the source signal as well as, in one embodiment,process the received content for insertion. As shown, each tuner 162includes an RF receiver 164, a demodulator 166, and a content buffer 168associated with a decryption device 170 and a decoder 172 in order toprovide a tuned channel. The radio frequency (RF) receiver 164 is theportion of the tuner that receives RF transmissions and converts theselected carrier frequency and its associated bandwidth into a fixedfrequency that is suitable for further processing. The demodulator 166is an electronic circuit that is used to recover the information contentfrom the modulated carrier wave provided by the RF receiver 164. Thecontent buffer 168 stores the signal and may be independent storage orassociated with or form a portion of the memory 152 or the storage 154.The decryption device 170 then decrypts the demodulated signal beforedecoding at the decoder 172. It should be appreciated that although aparticular architecture of tuner, RF receiver, demodulator, decryptiondevice and decoder is depicted, other architectures are within theteachings presented herein.

A transceiver 174 is associated with the set-top box 12 andcommunicatively disposed with the bus architecture 156. As shown thetransceiver 174 may be internal, external, or a combination thereof tothe housing. Further, the transceiver 174 may be a transmitter/receiver,receiver, or an antenna for example. Communication between variousamenities in a room with the set-top box 12 and the set-top box 12 maybe enabled by a variety of wireless methodologies employed by thetransceiver 174, including 802.11, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 3G, 4G, Edge,WiFi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), Bluetooth low energy andBluetooth, for example. Also, infrared (IR) may be utilized.

The memory 152 and storage 154 are accessible to the processor 150 andinclude processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor 150 to execute a series of operations. Theprocessor-executable instructions cause the processor 150 to receive theschedule 36 from the server 38. As previously discussed, the schedule 36may include a listing of the time slots 32. The processor-executableinstructions then cause the processor 150 to store the schedule 36 atthe set-top box 12. According to the schedule 36, the processor 150 iscaused to receive content 34 relative to the designated time slot 32from the server 38 and store the content 34 at the set-top box 12. Theprocessor-executable instructions may cause the processor 150 to receivethe content 34 in advance or dynamically and substantially in real time.The processor-executable instructions then cause the processor 150 toreceive network programming 30 on the signal input 158 and forward thenetwork programming to the display 14 via the signal output 160. By wayof the processor-executable instructions, the processor 150 may detectsignaling data indicative of the designated time slot 32 within thenetwork programming 30, and interpose, by way of splicing, for example,the content 34 at the designated time slot 32 within the networkprogramming 30 and forward the interposed content to the display 14 viathe signal output 160. Following the forwarding of the interposedcontent, the set-top box 12 returns to receiving network programming onthe signal input 158 and forwarding the network programming to thedisplay 14 via the signal output 160. The processor-executableinstructions also cause the processor 150 to send set-top box data 40 tothe server 38. The set-top box data 40 may include information such asthe identity of the set-top box, the identity of the guest, the identityof the interposed content, the scheduling of the interposed content, andthe viewing of the displayed interposed content, such as fully viewed,partially viewed, or not viewed.

Referring now to FIG. 6 , one embodiment of the server 38 as a computingdevice includes a processor 180, memory 182, storage 184, inputs 186,outputs 188, and network interface 190 interconnected with various buses192 in a common or distributed, for example, mounting architecture. Inother implementations, in the computing device, multiple processorsand/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along with multiplememories and types of memory. Further still, in other implementations,multiple computing devices may be provided and operations distributedtherebetween. The processor 180 may process instructions for executionwithin the server 38, including instructions stored in the memory 182 orin storage 184. The memory 182 stores information within the computingdevice. In one implementation, the memory 182 is a volatile memory unitor units. In another implementation, the memory 182 is a non-volatilememory unit or units. Storage 184 includes capacity that is capable ofproviding mass storage for the server 38. Various inputs 186 and outputs188 provide connections to and from the server 38, wherein the inputs186 are the signals or data received by the server 38, and the outputs188 are the signals or data sent from the server 38. The networkinterface 190 provides the necessary device controller to connect theserver 38 to one or more networks.

The memory 182 is accessible to the processor 180 and includesprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor 180 to execute a series of operations. Theprocessor-executable instructions cause the processor 180 to updateperiodically or on-demand, depending on the operational configuration, adatabase which may be part of storage 184 of schedules of time slots onvarious channels of network programming and related content or updateportion thereof, with current timeslot scheduling and contentinformation. The processor-executable instructions cause the processor180 to make this database or a portion thereof available to the set-topboxes 12 by way of the set-top boxes 12 receiving the informationthrough fetching or the server 38 sending the requested information.Thus, the systems and methods disclosed herein enable set-top boxes tohave enhanced content offerings. Further, the systems and methodsdisclosed herein may enable advertisers to use set-top boxes as asolution to provide to prospective consumers targeted advertising,during network programming, for example, and confirmation of the viewingof the interposed content.

More particularly, the processor-executable instructions cause theserver 38 to receive the set-top box data 40 from the various set-topboxes 12. As mentioned, the set-top box data 40 may include informationsuch as the identity of the set-top box, the identity of the guest, theidentity of the interposed content, the scheduling of the interposedcontent, and the viewing of the displayed interposed content, such asfully viewed, partially viewed, or not viewed. In one embodiment, theprocessor-executable instructions cause the processor 180 to render amap view of the hospitality establishment based on obtained map data.The map view 42 may include a graphical representation of the room and aplurality of other room rooms at the hospitality establishment. Theprocessor-executable instructions may also cause the processor 180 toannotate the graphical representation of the room with at least aportion of the set-top box data 40. More generally, theprocessor-executable instructions may also cause the processor 180 toprocess, analyze, report, and depict, for example, the set-top box data40 in various ways.

FIG. 7 conceptually illustrates the software architecture of anadvertising application 200 of some embodiments that may select thecontent for insertion into the programming. In some embodiments, theadvertising application 200 is a stand-alone application or isintegrated into another application, while in other embodiments theapplication might be implemented within an operating system 230.Furthermore, in some embodiments, the advertising application 200 isprovided as part of a server-based solution or a cloud-based solution.In some such embodiments, the application is provided via a thin client.That is, the application runs on a server while a user interacts withthe application via a separate machine remote from the server. In othersuch embodiments, the application is provided via a thick client. Thatis, the application is distributed from the server to the client machineand runs on the client machine.

The advertising application 200 includes a user interface (UI)interaction and generation module 202, management (user) interface tools204, serving modules 206, indexing modules 208, targeting modules 210,conversion modules 212, content modules 214, and an analyticsapplication 216. The advertising application 200 has access to non-adcontent repositories 220, ad repositories 222, program repositories 223,viewer repositories 224, conversion of STB databases 225, andpresentation instructions 226, which provide the data to the management(user) interface tools 204 for the utilization of the storages 220, 222,223, 224, 225, 226. In some embodiments, storages 220, 222, 223, 224,225, 226 are all stored in one physical storage. In other embodiments,the storages 220, 222, 223, 224, 225 226 are in separate physicalstorages, or one of the storages is in one physical storage while theother is in a different physical storage.

The UI interaction and generation module 202 generates a user interfacethat allows the end user to specify parameters that may be utilized togenerate content for insertion into programming. Prior to the generationof the content, the serving modules 206 may identify relative contentfrom the non-ad content repository 220 and ad repository 222 based oninformation received from the indexing modules 208 and the targetingmodules 210, which may include algorithms designed to match advertisingwith the viewer's network programming based on viewer profiles andpreferences. In one implementation, the serving modules may include anadvertising content management and publishing engine that manage thecontent assigned by algorithms and specifically send the content to thetargeted set-top box and viewer with a very specific insertion scheduleand time. The indexing modules 208 generate an index based on variousstatistical processes and/or modeling for identifying content based onthe planned programming in the program repository 223. Similarly, thetargeting modules generate factors based on various statisticalprocesses and/or modeling for identifying content based on the plannedguest viewers in the viewer repository 224. The viewer repository 224includes known information and data about the viewer or viewers of theparticular set-top box, such as network programming choices, customerpreferences, including goods and services purchased as well as detailsabout subscription services. In an embodiment where the technology isdeployed in a hospitality environment, a customer loyalty program may beincluded in the viewer repository as well as details such as personalpreferences like linens, pillows, beds, beverages, foods, fitness, andnetwork programming choices. The conversion modules 212 track theviewership (e.g., fully viewed, partially viewed, not viewed) of thecontent based on the received set-top box data stored in the conversionof set-top box data repository 225. The content modules 214 furnish thecontent for insertion to the set-top boxes and various other networkcomponents. The analytics application 216 may be executed to call ananalytics application 250 of FIG. 8 , for example.

In the illustrated embodiment, FIG. 7 also includes an operating system230 that includes input device driver(s) 232 and a display module 234.In some embodiments, as illustrated, the input device drivers 232 anddisplay module 234 are part of the operating system 230 even when theadvertising application 200 is an application separate from theoperating system 230. The input device drivers 232 may include driversfor translating signals from a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, tablet, touchscreen, gyroscope or accelerometer, for example. A user interacts withone or more of these input devices, which send signals to theircorresponding device driver. The device driver then translates thesignals into user input data that is provided to the UI interaction andgeneration module 202.

FIG. 8 conceptually illustrates the software architecture of theanalytics application 250 of some embodiments that may render the mapview 42 of the hospitality establishment. In some embodiments, theanalytics application 250 is a stand-alone application or is integratedinto another application, while in other embodiments the applicationmight be implemented within an operating system 280. Furthermore, insome embodiments, the analytics application 250 is provided as part of aserver-based solution or a cloud-based solution. In some suchembodiments, the application is provided via a thin client. That is, theapplication runs on a server while a user interacts with the applicationvia a separate machine remote from the server. In other suchembodiments, the application is provided via a thick client. That is,the application is distributed from the server to the client machine andruns on the client machine.

The analytics application 250 includes a user interface (UI) interactionand generation module 252, management (user) interface tools 254,aggregator modules 256, filter modules 258, numerical decomposer modules260, discrete decomposer modules 262, assignment modules 264, propertyaccess module 266, and a map rendering application 268. The analyticsapplication 250 has access to historic property databases of set-top boxdata 270, real-time property databases of set-top box data 272, andpresentation instructions 274, which presents instructions from theoperation of the analytics operation 250. In some embodiments, storages270, 272, and 274 are all stored in one physical storage. In otherembodiments, the storages 270, 272, 274 are in separate physicalstorages, or one of the storages is in one physical storage while theother is in a different physical storage.

The UI interaction and generation module 252 generates a user interfacethat allows the end user to specify parameters that may be utilized togenerate an annotated map view of the hospitality establishment, whichmay include elements of a heat map. Prior to the generation of anannotated map view of the hospitality establishment, the aggregatormodules 256 may be executed to obtain instances of set-top box data. Inother instances, the set-top box data is continually provided to theanalytics application 250 such that the aggregator modules 256 do nothave to obtain instances of set-top box data proactively. The set-topbox data may also be filtered by the filter modules 258. The aggregatormodules 256 and the filter modules 258 cooperate, in combination, togather the desired set-top box data.

At this time, the parameters have been established for the annotated mapview of the hospitality establishment by default or by an end userutilizing the management (user) interface tools 254. The numericaldecomposer modules 260 may be executed to numerically decomposeinstances or summaries of set-top box data gathered by the aggregatormodules 256 and the filter modules 258 by applying the selectedperformance characteristic or selected performance characteristics tothe instances of the set-top box data. The discrete decomposer modules262 may be executed to containerize the decomposed set-top box data. Inthis manner, multiple containers may be defined that each have a rangeof values. The assignment modules 264 may be executed to assign apre-map annotation element to each of the multiple containers. Theproperty access module 266 may be executed to obtain data from thehistoric property databases of set-top box data 270 or the real-timeproperty databases of set-top box data 272. The map renderingapplication 268 may be executed to call a map rendering application 300of FIG. 9 , for example.

In the illustrated embodiment, FIG. 8 also includes an operating system280 that includes input device driver(s) 282 and a display module 284.In some embodiments, as illustrated, the input device drivers 282 anddisplay module 284 are part of the operating system 280 even when theanalytics application 250 is an application separate from the operatingsystem 280. The input device drivers 282 may include drivers fortranslating signals from a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, tablet, touchscreen, gyroscope or accelerometer, for example. A user interacts withone or more of these input devices 282, which send signals to theircorresponding device driver. The device driver then translates thesignals into user input data that is provided to the UI interaction andgeneration module 252.

FIG. 9 conceptually illustrates the software architecture of a maprendering application 300 of some embodiments that may render the mapview 42 of the hospitality establishment. In some embodiments, the maprendering application 300 is a stand-alone application or is integratedinto another application, while in other embodiments the applicationmight be implemented within an operating system. Furthermore, in someembodiments, the map rendering application 300 is provided as part of aserver-based solution or a cloud-based solution. In some suchembodiments, the application is provided via a thin client. That is, theapplication runs on a server while a user interacts with the applicationvia a separate machine remote from the server. In other suchembodiments, the application is provided via a thick client. That is,the application is distributed from the server to the client machine andruns on the client machine.

The map rendering application 300 includes a UI interaction andgeneration module 302, graphics data tools 304, a cropping andstraightening tool 306, brush tools 308, effect tools 310, a tilt shifttool 312, gradient tools 314, a vignette tool 316, and an activationmanager 318. The image editing application has access to map servicefiles 320, set-top box source files 322, and editing instructions 324.In some embodiments, the map service files 320 may be vector graphicsdata files with texture identifiers or two or three dimensional mapimage files specified in one or more map tiles that may be raster-basedmap tiles, for example. The map service files 320 create a virtual modelof the physical body of the hospitality establishment based ondefinitions derived from any GIS resources, such as a geodatabase,address location map document or geoprocess model, or any two- orthree-dimensional CAD-based drawings and plans.

The set-top box source files 322 store operational instructions forprocessing set-top box data. The editing instructions 324 store theimage editing operations that the map rendering application 300 performsas a set of instructions. The map rendering application 300 uses theseset of instructions to generate new images based on the original datastored in the source files. In some embodiments, the map image filesand/or media content data are stored as .mov, .avi, .jpg, .png, .gif,pdf, .mp3, .bmp, .wav, .txt, .tiff, etc. files in the map service files320 and set-top box source files 322. In some embodiments, storages 320,322, and 324 are all stored in one physical storage. In otherembodiments, the storages 320, 322, 324 are in separate physicalstorages, or one of the storages is in one physical storage while theother is in a different physical storage.

In the illustrated embodiment, FIG. 9 also includes an operating system330 that includes input device driver(s) 332 and a display module 334.In some embodiments, as illustrated, the input device drivers 332 anddisplay module 334 are part of the operating system 330 even when theimage editing application is an application separate from the operatingsystem. The input device drivers 332 may include drivers for translatingsignals from a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, tablet, touch screen,gyroscope, accelerometer, etc. A user interacts with one or more ofthese input devices, which send signals to their corresponding devicedriver. The device driver then translates the signals into user inputdata that is provided to the UI interaction and generation module 300.

The present application describes a graphical user interface thatprovides users with numerous ways to perform different sets ofoperations and functionalities. By either executing a pre-determinedseries of editing instructions on a pre-determined set of media sourcefiles or receiving a selection of media processing operations, thepresent map rendering application 300 provides for a map view of thehospitality establishment with the appropriate annotations of set-topbox data.

Referring now to FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, in one implementation, propertymonitoring and optimization is provided in the form of a database, or asshown, in the map view 42 of the hospitality establishment H including agraphical presentation 350 of a floor of the hospitality establishmentH, wherein particular hotel rooms with set-top box data historically andin substantially real time permits a user or manager to select thedesired information and make optimal content and advertising decisions.As previously mentioned, it should be appreciated that although ahospitality establishment is depicted, the teachings presented hereinare applicable to residential environments as well.

In particular, color-coding and hue assignment adds additionalunderstanding and visibility into housekeeping and maintenanceconditions as well as use. By way of example and not by way oflimitation, the hospitality establishment H is graphically depicted ashaving a lobby and ten floors, which are lobby, 2^(nd) floor, 3rd floor,etc. For each floor, such as the 4^(th) floor, a floor layout is shownwith rooms, such as rooms 401 through 407 and 411 through 417. In FIGS.10A and 10B, by collecting the substantially real time and historicset-top box data from the field, a map may be shown depicting all roomswith television ON, for example. In particular, room 404 is highlightedto inspect the interposed content in terms of viewership.

As shown, by way of example, the status of television viewing of Room404 is being examined as each highlighted room 352 has television ON. Asshown, the graphical representation of Room 404 is annotated withinformation group 354. For example, information 356 is based onidentification data that details the model and serial number of theset-top box 12 associated with the Room 404. Also, included in theannotation is information 358, which provides details on the physicalconnection with the display 14 associated with the set-top box of Room404. Information 360 shows details on a particular recently viewedchannel and commercial advertising content where viewership was notcompleted. Information 362 annotates the map view 42 with a commercialadvertising content on the channel that is being viewed in full by theguest, based on the set-top box data 40 received from the set-top box 12at the server 38. That is, in some embodiments, once the set-top boxdata 40 is captured, the set-top box 12 is directly uploaded to theserver 38 and a database and then associated with the rooms shown on themap view 42. Management uses the map view 42 to gather real timeinformation about the status of the rooms and properties and reports oncontent, such as advertising, viewership. To view the set-top box data40 captured from each set-top box 12 in each room, the map view userscan select a room from the map and appropriately click or tap on therooms and then select the set-top box data 40 or other processingoperations requested.

The system presented herein provides for the management of hospitalityreal estate and to the operation, control, and oversight of hospitalityproperties, such as lodging establishments, motels, or hotels, forexample. In one embodiment, a web-hosted, cloud-based propertymonitoring and troubleshooting tool is furnished that provides agraphical presentation of the hospitality properties with historic andreal time room and equipment status. As mentioned, historic set-top boxdata may be viewed by property or properties, room or room, with userselectable constraints such as data and time.

Referring now to FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, in one implementation, propertymonitoring and optimization is provided in the form of a database, or asshown, in the map view 42 of the residential community O including agraphical presentation 370 of multiple homes M, wherein particular homeswith set-top box data historically and in substantially real timepermits a user or manager to select the desired information and makeoptimal content and advertising decisions. The multiple homes in theresidential community are labeled 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106Prospect Ave.

In particular, color-coding and hue assignment adds additionalunderstanding and visibility into viewer consumption preferences as wellas use of the set-top box and network programming habits. In FIGS. 11Aand 11B, by collecting the substantially real time and historic set-topbox data from the field, a map may be shown depicting all rooms withtelevision ON, for example. In particular, living rooms at 101 ProspectAve, 103 Prospect Ave, and 104 Prospect Ave are highlighted (element372) to show the television is ON and to offer the opportunity toinspect the interposed content in terms of viewership.

As shown, by way of example, the status of television viewing is beenshown, including a living room at 101 Prospect Ave, and is beingexamined as each highlighted room (see element 372) has television ON.As shown, the graphical representation of the home M at 101 Prospect Aveis annotated with the information group 354. For example, as previouslydiscussed, the information 356 is based on identification data thatdetails the model and serial number of the set-top box 12 associatedwith the living room at 101 Prospect Ave. Also, included in theannotation is information 358, which provides details on the physicalconnection with the display 14 associated with the set-top box 12 ofliving room at 101 Prospect Ave. Information 360 shows details on aparticular recently viewed channel and commercial advertising contentwhere viewership was not completed. Information 362 annotates the mapview 42 with a commercial advertising content on the channel that isbeing viewed in full by the viewer or resident, based on the set-top boxdata 40 received from the set-top box 12 at the server 38. That is, insome embodiments, once the set-top box data 40 is captured, the set-topbox 12 is directly uploaded to the server 38 and a database and thenassociated with the rooms shown on the map view 42. Management uses themap view 42 to gather real time information about the status of therooms and properties and reports on content, such as advertising,viewership. To view the set-top box data 40 captured from each set-topbox 12 in each room, the map view users can select a room from the mapand appropriately click or tap on the rooms and then select the set-topbox data 40 or other processing operations requested.

The system presented herein provides for the management of set-top boxassets and accounts across residential communities. In one embodiment, aweb-hosted, cloud-based property monitoring and troubleshooting tool isfurnished that provides a graphical presentation of the properties withhistoric and real time room and equipment status. As mentioned, historicset-top box data may be viewed by property or properties, room or room,with user selectable constraints such as data and time.

FIG. 12 depicts one embodiment of a method for providing enhancedcontent, according to the teachings presented herein. The methodologystarts at block 380 when the set-top box receives a schedule of theavailable time slots. In one embodiment, the schedule may also includethe particular content to be displayed for each time slot. At decisionblock 382, if the content is pre-stored at the set-top box, then themethodology advances to block 384, where content that will be utilizedwithin a certain period of time is received and stored at the set-topbox. At block 386, network programming is received at the set-top boxand forwarded to the display. At decision block 388, if the scheduledtime slot has not been detected, then the methodology returns to block386 and continues in a loop between decision block 388 and block 386until the scheduled time slot is detected by way of signaling data. Atblock 390, the stored content is forwarded to the display in the streamof the network programming prior to the network programming continuingat block 392 and confirmation of the content shown is forwarded from theset-top box to the server.

Returning to decision block 382, if the content is not pre-stored, thenin one implementation, the methodology advances to block 394 wherenetwork programming is received at the set-top box and forwarded to thedisplay. At decision block 396, if the scheduled time slot has not beendetected, then the methodology returns to block 394 and continues in aloop between decision block 396 and block 394 until the scheduled timeslot is detected by way of signaling data. At block 398, the content tobe inserted into the network programming, by way of splicing, forexample, is forwarded to the display in the stream of the networkprogramming prior to the network programming continuing at block 400,where confirmation of content displayed is sent from the set-top box tothe server.

Referring now to FIG. 13 , one embodiment of a method for utilizingproperty management tools for the operation, control, and oversight ofhospitality properties, such as lodging establishments, motels, orhotels, for example, is depicted. The methodology starts at block 420and progresses through block 422 and block 424 where, respectivelyset-top box data is aggregated from status inquiries from the server tothe set-top boxes and aggregated from set-top boxes broadcasting theset-top box data. At block 426, the server receives a request togenerate a map view of a particular hospitality property. At block 428,the server filters the aggregated set-top box data according to acharacteristic or characteristics. At blocks 430 and 432, the set-topbox data is discretely decomposed and assigned annotation elements. Atblock 434, the digital representation of the physical location, e.g.,the hospitality property, is located and at block 436, the datacorrelation of the map annotation elements to the digital representationoccurs.

At decision block 438, if the map processing including any appliedannotations are based on a pre-selected or pre-stored or pre-definedcriteria, then the methodology advances to block 440 where theappropriate map view is rendered prior to block 442, the methodologyending. On the other hand, at decision block 338, if user input will besought on the map view and annotations, then the methodology displaysthe map view at block 444. Then at block 446, the server receivesselection of media processing operations from the user and then appliesthe image processing operations at block 448. The media processingoperations may include, for example, selecting the media to be displayedand various luminance and color properties and such to provide furthervisibility into the map view. At block 450, the map view withannotations is rendered prior to the methodology ending at block 442.

The order of execution or performance of the methods and data flowsillustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwisespecified. That is, elements of the methods and data flows may beperformed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methodsmay include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. Forexample, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particularelement before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are allpossible sequences of execution.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of theillustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention,will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thedescription. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claimsencompass any such modifications or embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for content management, the systemcomprising: a set-top box located in a room at a hospitalityestablishment having a plurality of rooms, the set-top box including: ahousing securing a signal input, a signal output, a processor, memory,and storage therein, a busing architecture communicativelyinterconnecting the signal input, the signal output, the processor, thememory, and the storage, the signal input configured to receive a sourcesignal from an external source, the source signal including a stream ofnetwork programming having a plurality of time slots interposed therein,the signal output configured to forward a fully tuned signal to adisplay, the memory accessible to the processor, the memory includingprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor to: receive content relative to a designated time slot from aserver, store the content at the set-top box, receive networkprogramming on the signal input and forward the network programming tothe display via the signal output, interpose the content at thedesignated time slot within the network programming and forward theinterposed content to the display via the signal output, send set-topbox data to the server, the set-top box data including confirmation ofthe displayed interposed content to the server, and following theforwarding of the interposed content, receive network programming on thesignal input and forward the network programming to the display via thesignal output; and a map view of the hospitality establishment based onobtained map data, the map view including a graphical representation ofthe room and a plurality of other room at the hospitality establishment,the graphical representation of the room being annotated with at least aportion of the set-top box data, the set-top box data including theconfirmation of the displayed interposed content.
 2. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the confirmation of the displayed interposedcontent to the server further comprises data relative to full viewing ofthe interposed content.
 3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein theconfirmation of the displayed interposed content to the server furthercomprises data relative to at least one of no viewing of the interposedcontent and partial viewing of the interposed content.
 4. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the content further comprises anadvertisement.
 5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the contentfurther comprises a first advertisement substituting for a secondadvertisement within the network programming.
 6. The system as recitedin claim 1, wherein the content further comprises non-advertisingcontent.
 7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the contentfurther comprises non-advertising content relating to the hospitalityestablishment.
 8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein thehospitality establishment is selected from the group consisting offurnished multi-family residences, dormitories, lodging establishments,hotels, hospitals, and multi-unit environments.
 9. The system as recitedin claim 1, wherein the plurality of time slots further comprise aplurality of local advertising time slots.
 10. The system as recited inclaim 1, wherein the content further comprises a schedule with the timeof each of the plurality of time slots and identification of particularcontent associated with each of the plurality of time slots.
 11. Thesystem as recited in claim 1, wherein the processor-executableinstructions of the set-top box further comprise instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to interpose, by way of splicing, thecontent at the designated time slot within the network programming andforward the interposed content to the display via the signal output. 12.The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the server generates the mapview of the hospitality establishment.
 13. The system as recited inclaim 1, wherein the map view further comprises a 3-D perspective viewof the hospitality establishment.
 14. The system as recited in claim 1,wherein the map view further comprises a multi-floor view of thehospitality establishment.
 15. The system as recited in claim 1, whereinthe map view further comprises a 2-D top plan view of at least a portionthe hospitality establishment.
 16. The system as recited in claim 1,wherein the map view further comprises a view of a floor of thehospitality establishment.
 17. A system for content management, thesystem comprising: a set-top box located in a room, the set-top boxincluding: a housing securing a signal input, a signal output, aprocessor, memory, and storage therein, a busing architecturecommunicatively interconnecting the signal input, the signal output, theprocessor, the memory, and the storage, the signal input configured toreceive a source signal from an external source, the source signalincluding a stream of network programming having a plurality of timeslots interposed therein, the signal output configured to forward afully tuned signal to a display, the memory accessible to the processor,the memory including processor-executable instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to: receive content relative to adesignated time slot from a server, store the content at the set-topbox, receive network programming on the signal input and forward thenetwork programming to the display via the signal output, interpose thecontent at the designated time slot within the network programming andforward the interposed content to the display via the signal output,send set-top box data to the server, the set-top box data includingconfirmation of the displayed interposed content to the server, andfollowing the forwarding of the interposed content, receive networkprogramming on the signal input and forward the network programming tothe display via the signal output; and a map view based on obtained mapdata, the map view including a graphical representation of the room, thegraphical representation of the room being annotated with at least aportion of the set-top box data, the set-top box data including theconfirmation of the displayed interposed content.
 18. The system asrecited in claim 16, wherein the confirmation of the displayedinterposed content to the server further comprises data relative to fullviewing of the interposed content.
 19. The system as recited in claim16, wherein the confirmation of the displayed interposed content to theserver further comprises data relative to at least one of no viewing ofthe interposed content and partial viewing of the interposed content.20. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the content furthercomprises an advertisement.
 21. A system for content management, thesystem comprising: a set-top box including: a housing securing a signalinput, a signal output, a processor, memory, and storage therein, abusing architecture communicatively interconnecting the signal input,the signal output, the processor, the memory, and the storage, thesignal input configured to receive a source signal from an externalsource, the source signal including a stream of network programminghaving a plurality of time slots interposed therein, the signal outputconfigured to forward a fully tuned signal to a display, the memoryaccessible to the processor, the memory including processor-executableinstructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: receivecontent relative to a designated time slot from a server, store thecontent at the set-top box, receive network programming on the signalinput and forward the network programming to the display via the signaloutput, interpose the content at the designated time slot within thenetwork programming and forward the interposed content to the displayvia the signal output, send set-top box data to the server, the set-topbox data including confirmation of the displayed interposed content tothe server, and following the forwarding of the interposed content,receive network programming on the signal input and forward the networkprogramming to the display via the signal output; and a map view basedon obtained map data, the map view being annotated with at least aportion of the set-top box data, the set-top box data including theconfirmation of the displayed interposed content.